An honorary portal (pailou) for a ‘faithful’ widow

An honorary portal (pailou) for a ‘faithful’ widow

Notes

University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: Bo02-101. The honour of a pailou was bestowed on a widow, who had remained ‘faithful’ to her deceased husband until she also died. This was a common practice in imperial China to encourage family and societal stability.

Caption in album or on mount

16 & 97. Honorary portal to distinguished official.

Estimated Date

1870

Tags

Photographer

Watson, Major J.C.

Material

Paper

Media

Black and white photograph

Repository

Terry Bennett Collection

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